Abstract

This study systematically analysed the adoption of innovative technologies in the provision of electronic information services in public university libraries in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It adopted the descriptive survey design with three specific objectives. The population of the study consisted of eighty-nine (89) librarians and library officers from Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) and University of Uyo (UNIUYO) libraries. The census sampling technique was adopted in the study. Data for the study were collected using structured questionnaire with a reliability index of 0.79 using Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of percentage counts, mean scores and standard deviation. The study revealed that though innovative technologies have strong implications in ensuring the ease of providing electronic information services, but the types of innovative technologies available for use in public university libraries in Akwa Ibom State was inadequate, and the level of adoption was low. The study showed that computers (desktops and laptops), Internet, library websites and projectors are the only innovative technologies available in the libraries. It revealed that innovative technologies are useful in dealing with the ever-growing complexity of information services, access to electronic information services, time saving in providing information services, efficient acquisition services, etc. The study found that poor internet connectivity, inadequate innovative technologies, inadequate skills for the use of innovative technologies by librarians, inadequate funding of public university libraries, poor training of librarians to acquire requisite skills, etc., are the major challenges militating against the adoption of innovative technologies in the provision of electronic information services in public university libraries. The study recommended among other measures, that management of public universities should provide adequate funds, and internet connection, while the public university libraries should train and retrain staff to improve their skills and competencies on the use of innovative technologies for electronic information services provision to users.